Tacooon, congrats on entering the fire service. It's a great decision, and I hope you can make a career out of it. Cops like to throw out phrases like hose monkey, but that's just 'cause they're jealous that they got issued a gun and vest, and we got issued a blanket and pillow

Now, do yourself (and the fire service) a favor, and take it easy on the whole stickering the shit out of your vehicle and wearing a department t-shirt everywhere(especially the bar) (unless you can steal a rival department's t-shirt and cause some mayhem while wearing it).

Many of the departments in the chicagoland area have gone over to firefighter/paramedics. Most places, you can't even test without possessing your medic license, so we don't see much of the firefighter - paramedic rivalry.

I work for Louisville fire department in ky. Paid. I have socks trd bedside fire badge and catch a bunch of sh$& for it but I don't care. However, Even I make fun of the guys with lights and sirens on there 85 corollas. Lol. Best job In the world.

Before I got on the PD I used to go on this site( Im not smart enough to make turn blue and take right there) Fire employment.com Its a pay site last time I think it was like 4bucks a month they had really good info on whos hiring across the country and over seas. Good luck

i attached several photos 1 is a structure we fought at 2 am and i got to take pics after i got my guys off duty and truck back in service 2 are what we saw coming out of the station for huge grass and brush fire at wildlife ranch some 80+ acres burnt and the other 2 are of my mask after a boat fire i crystallized the mask!!!! by the way to the guy whos workin on his emt i deffinantely am glad you are going to go get some exp before you go for paramedic i have had my basic for 2 years and i still miss things i should know sometimes but im going after my medic next fall hope yall like these pics!!!!!

i attached several photos 1 is a structure we fought at 2 am and i got to take pics after i got my guys off duty and truck back in service 2 are what we saw coming out of the station for huge grass and brush fire at wildlife ranch some 80+ acres burnt and the other 2 are of my mask after a boat fire i crystallized the mask!!!! by the way to the guy whos workin on his emt i deffinantely am glad you are going to go get some exp before you go for paramedic i have had my basic for 2 years and i still miss things i should know sometimes but im going after my medic next fall hope yall like these pics!!!!!

holy crap that mask is crazy!

thanks! yeh ive seen quite a few guys (one being my friend) that graduated with me go and hardly go out on any runs and turn around and take paramedic and flunk out. i plan on at least 3-4 years of basic experience before i plan on doing paramedic.